Dampening mechanism for printing presses



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G. A. ILER DAMPENING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed June 3, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 'Geovgg JZIZer Jlizforne yfl lll lll lnllll Patented Nov. 27, 1945 easier! George A. Iler, Riverside, lit Porter, Ina, Chicag llllinois EL, assignor to Roberts 0, BL, a. corporation of Application June 3, 1942, Serial No. 445,543

15 Claims. ((31. 101- 147) This invention relates to a dampening mechanism for printing presses and has for its object to provide a new and improved device of this description 1 The invention has as a further object to provide a dampening mechanism for printing presses wherein a spray of liquid is directed on the printing press cylinder without the use of compressed air.

deposited upon the press cylinder.

The invention has further objects which are more particularly pointed out in the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings,

Fig. l ls'a sectional view on the line l-Z of Fig. 5 showing the left-hand end of the device;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 5-2 of Fig. 5 showing the right-hand end of the device;

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view on the line The invention has as a further object to pro- B 3-3 of Fig. 2; I vide a dampening mechanism for printing presses Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional vlew'on t e e wherein the spray forming apparatus is directly M o gconnected to a source of liquid under pressure Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of from which the spray is formed. Fig. 1;

I The invention has as a further object to pro- 1 Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of Fi 1; vide a dampening mechanism for directing "a Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-1 of spray of liquid on the printing press cylinder and Fig. 6 showing the left-hand end of the device; providing effective means for forming and con- Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of trolling the spray. Fig. 6 showing the right-hand end of the device The invention has as a further object to pro- 2 with parts omitted; vide a dampening mechanism of the kind, de- Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9-9of scribed wherein the liquid from a, nozzle is di- Fig. 6 showing a central portion of the spray rested against a spray forming target and thence device; onto the cylinder of the printing press. Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-l0 The-invention has as a further object to pro- 2 of Fig. 6 on an enlarged scale; vide a dampening mechanism wherein the stream Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the of liquid issuing from the nozzle is substanright-hand end of the device showing the water tially free from whirl or twist. supply system; I

The invention has as a further object to pro- Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line Ill-l2 of vide a dampening mechanism for the cylinder of Fig. 1;

a printing press with means for varying the Fig. 13 is a view showing the cams dismounted; amount of spray delivered to difierent portions Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the oi the press cylinder longitudinally therealong. nozzle; v

The invention has as a further object to pro- Fig. 15 is a view of the right-hand portion 01' vide a dampening mechanism for a printing Fig. 6 showing the parts on a larger scale with press cylinder with means for automatically prethe spray control gates in closed position; venting the moisture from being sprayed upon a Fig. 16 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6 portion of the cylinder at each revolution thereshowing a modified construction of the, device of. 7 for controlling the liquid spray;

The invention has as a further objectto pro- Fig. 17 is a detailed sectional view taken on vide a dampening mechanism for a printing press line li-ll of Fig. 16. r cylinder provided with a series of liquid dis- Like numerals refer to like parts throughout charge nozzles with means for oscillating these the several-figures. 1 nozzles while the press is running. In the drawings I have shown one form of The invention has as a further object to prodampening mechanism for dampening the printv vide means for obstructing, the passage of the ing plate so that it will take the proper amount spray to the press cylinder for a portion of each of ink from the inking roller to secure the best revolution of the cylinder. results. This dampening mechanism is prefer- The invention has as a further object to proably mounted upon the printing press frame in vide means for partially obstructing the passage any suitable manner. of the spray to the press cylinder to regulate the As herein shown, there are provided supports amount of moisture deposited thereon. l and 2 on opposite sides of th press cylin er? The invention has as a further object to promounted upon the shaft 3e. These supports are vide means for adjusting the amount of spray preferably connected with the press frames 4, l5

bysuitable fastening devices 6, 1. The press In bent inwardly and which is clamped between the clamping members I I by the clamping screws l2. The other edge of the plate has the inwardly bent edge I3 which is clamped between the clamping members I4, which are pivotally connected with the printing cylinder at I5. There are tightening screws I 6 threaded into one of these clamping members and which engage a shoulder N on the cylinder so that the plate can be properly tightened around the cylinder.

As hereinafter set out, means is provided to confine the action of the dampening mechanism to the plate and for preventing moisture from being applied along the longitudinal space between the edges I and I3 of the plate.

Removably mounted on the supports I and 2 are the cross supporting members I8, I9, and I8a, l9a, which are held in position by the holding members 20, 2I. Suitable removable fastenin devices 22, 23 fasten the holding members in position. Slotted stop members Ia, 2a are adjustably secured to the supports I and 2 by the set screws lb, 21).

Supported in proper position is a casing 24 in which the dampening mechanism is enclosed (Fig. 6). Any suitable meansmay be utilized to. support this casing. As herein shown, the cross supporting members I8 and I9 at the left-hand end (Fig. 1) have one end carried by the support I; The other ends of these members about the end of the casing are fastened thereto in any desired manner as by welding at 24d and 24e. Extending crosswise under the casing 24 are the members l8b and I9b best seen in Fig. 5. The members I8 and l8b are connected to ether by the plate 24 and the fastening devices I80 and I8d. The members I9 and I9?) are connected together by the plate 24d and the fastening devices I90 and I9d.

At the opposite end (Fig. 2) the cross supportin members I8d and l9a each have one end abuttin against the end of the casing and fastened thereto, as by welding, at 24f and 249. The other ends of the members I8a and l9a rest upon the support 2. The ends of the casing, "at the points where the cross supporting members are attached, are reinforced by the reinforcing members 24a and 24b (Figs. '7, 8). The member I8a is connected to the member l8b by a plate I8e similar to the plate 24c, and the member l9a is connected to the member I9b by a plate IBe similar to the plat 24d of Fig. 5. The members I8 and I9 rest and slide upon the support I, and the members I8a and l9a rest and slide upon the support 2.

In assembling the parts of the dampening device, these members are moved about the supports I and 2 until the dampening mechanism and the casing are in the proper position. The stop members Ia and 2a are then moved into contact with the members I8 and I8a and the screws Ib and 2b tightened so as to hold them in position. If the device is removed for any purpose,.it can be returned to its exact original position by moving the parts along the supports until the members I8 and I8a engage the stop members Ia and 2a. The parts are thus held in position by clamping the members I8 and I9, an I Be and l9a to the supports by means of the holding members 20, 2I and fastening devices 22, 23.

The dampening liquid may be taken from any suitable source of supply. As herein shown (Fig. 11) there is a tank 25 containing this liquid. A pump 25 has a pipe 21 extending into this tank, having at its end a screen 28 which prevents foreign particles being delivered to the dampening mechanism. The pump 26 is operated by a motor 29. The discharge pipe 30 of the pump is connected with a pipe 3I which extends into the casing 24 and connects with a delivery pipe 32. There is a filter 33 in the pipe 3I. On opposite sides of this filter are the pressure gauges 34, 35.

When these pressure gauges register substantially the same pressure, this indicates that the filter is working properly and is not clogged. The pipe 3I preferably has a flexible removable section 3Ia so that the pump can be easily disconnected. The pipe 21 has a check valve 21a.

A plurality of nozzles 36 are connected at intervals with the delivery pipe 32 (Figs. 6 and 15). As herein shown, these nozzles are connected to one end of a rocking member 31, the other end of which is connected with a pipe 38 which, in turn, is connected by a flexible pipe 39 with the delivery pipe 32. The rocking member 31 has the projecting part 40 which is provided with a pivot 4I mounted in a bearing 42 in a support 43, attached to the fixed member 44. A spring 45 is connected at one end to the support 43 and at the other end to the rocking members 31. The rocking members 31 and the nozzles 38 are rocked back and forth in any desired manner. As herein shown, there is connected to eachrocking member 31 a pivot 46 which is connected to a longitu dinally movable or oscillating bar 41, which is moved or oscillated by any suitable means (Figs. 2, 6 and 8) This bar slides along separated supporting members 41a (Fig. 9) which are far enough apart as not to interfere with the proper longitudinal reciprocation of this bar. As herein shown, this bar is oscillated by a motor 48 (Fig. 8) which is connected through a speed reducer 49 to a shaft 50 carrying a wheel 5|. An adjustin connecting rod 52 is connected eccentrically with this wheel and is also connected to a rocking arm 53 pivoted at 54. This rocking arm is connected with a reciprocating member 55 attached to the oscillating bar 41 by the latterly projecting part 55a (Figs. 8 and 9), which in turn is connected to the nozzles 36. These nozzles are rocked back and forth during the time the device is in operation. The purpose of the oscillation of these nozzles is to insure the proper distribution of the particles of spray upon the plate of the cylinder so each individual nozzle will not leave a streak on the paper.

Any suitable number of nozzles may be used and they are preferably spaced between 3 ard 4 inches apart. The nozzles are removable for cleaning purposes. This may be accomplished either by disconnecting the spring 45 and removing the rocking member 31 from the bearing 42 and then turning the end up and inserting a suitable tool or a pin in the opening of the nozzle or by unscrewing the nozzle from the rocking member and inserting a proper cleaning device therein.

A sprayforming target 56 has a downwardly and rearwardly extending part which receives the stream of liquid from the nozzles and converts the liquid into spray and also directs the spray through the discharge opening 56a of the casing upon the plate of the press cylinder. The target that is between the ends of proper inclination with relation to the horizontal.

I have found, for example, that best results are secured by having the target member inclined at an angle of substantially twenty-eight degrees to the horizontal with a leeway of plus or minus ten per cent and that the nozzles have an angle of inclination with relation to the horizontal of substantially thirty-five degrees with a leeway 'of plus or minus ten per cent. Increasing the angle of the target member makes the mist finer and decreasing it makes the mist coarser, and the relative angles should be such as to secure the proper fineness of the mist that is directed upon the plate. If the particles of mist are too large they are crushed when the paper is pressed on the plate, thus leaving visible spots on the paper. If the mist is too fine not enough moisture will adhere to the plate to secure the proper transfer of ink thereto from the inking roller. v

The moisture on the plate controls the amount of ink that adheres thereto. Too much moisture produces too little ink and, therefore, a blank spot on the paper. much ink to adhere to the plate, thereby causing a black spot on the paper.

The press cylinder is rotating at a high speed, carrying with it a film of air. The spray particles must be heavy enough to quickly penetrate this revolving film of air and then be deposited on the plate. If the particles of spray are too light, they will be carried along by this iilm of air so that not enough moisture will be'deposited on the plate.

The nozzles are so constructed and arranged that the stream of each nozzle will be substantially the same diameter throughout its length, the nozzles and the target member.

The interior of the nozzle must be smooth without polish as the polish tends to make the stream -whirl or twist, which must be avoided. The opening is best produced by drilling or reaming. I have secured good results with a nozzle where the end discharge opening is substantially onesixteenth of an inch in length with a twenty-five per cent plus or minus leeway, with a diameter of 91000 of an inch and a twenty-five per cent plus or minus leeway, and with a water pressure of from forty to seventy-five pounds per square inch and with a, length of stream of substantially one and one-half inches- The nozzle is prefer-- ably made of commercial finished brass or other suitable non-corrosive metal. The target member should also be preferably of non-corrosive metal.

The spray of liquid from the target member to the plate on the cylinder forces a certain amount of air out of the casing 28 and it is necessary to provide means for admitting air at the rear of the casing to replace the air driven out of the casing.

As herein shown, the rear of the casing is pro- 9 vided with a door so which may be held in a par; tially open position by the spring 59. This provides an air admission opening 59a. The door is also used to give access to the dampening apparatus in the casing. A lip 60 (Fig. 6) extends along the upper edge of the discharge opening eta which inclines downwardly and rearwardly and which receives and stops the moisture tending to travel around with the cylinder, which moisture runs down the lower face of the lip and drops into the casing 24 to the rear of the barrier Too little moisture causes too Lil 6 I. The finer particles of spray tend to fall short of or be intercepted by the barrier 6i, and are thus prevented from reaching the plate, due to their smaller momentum. The barrier 5! is thus effective to prevent the undulysmall particles from reaching the cylinder. It may be adjusted up or down into the spray to obtain the proper control of the size of the particles allowed to reach the cylinder. The barrier 6| may be adjusted up or down by the slots St a and bolts Gib. Water also passes down between the barrier and the plate and this water passes through holes 62 at the bottom of the barrier and runs back into the casing 25. These holes are self-sealing so that water can pass backward therethrough but spray cannot pass forward therethrough. This water and the water from the lip 60 and any other water that may be deposited in the casing 24 is conducted by the pipe 83 back into the spray tank 26 (Fig.

Some means is provided for preventing the spray from being directed against the press cylinder between the edges of the plate 8, that is between the bent edges l9 and iii of this plate (see Fig. 12). It is not practicable to end the spray right at the one edge of the plate ii and begin it again at the other edge of the plate. In practice, therefore, the device is arranged so that the spray is shut off before the edge 83 of the plate is reached and is again directed upon the cylinder "after the edge in has passed the spraying device.

In commercial practice, for example, the directing of the spray upon the plate 8 would end at some point, as for example 64 (Fig. 12) and would again begin at some point, as for example the point 65. The spray is controlled for this purpose by a shut-ofi gate 66 (Figs. 6 and 15) which extends the length of the plate on the cylinder. This shut-ofi gate is attached to a rock shaft 61. The closing edge of the gate strikes a member which extends across the casing and which is preferably of elastic material, such as rubber,.which will stand the continued striking of the shut-off gate as it is opened and closed at every revolution of the press cylinder, so that the spray is only applied to the plate on the press cylinder and is not applied to the space between the edges of the plate. This member 68 is mounted upon a support 68o which extends across the casing and which is separated from the bottom of the casing at intervals by the washers 68b so as to permit water to run underneath it and return to the tank so that the tank can be kept drained.

The rock shaft 61 may be rocked by any suitable means. I have illustrated means for automatically rocking this shaft to automatically open 'and'close the shut-01f gate 66 at the proper points. This is accomplished by means of a connection between the rock shaft 61 and the press cylinder. In the particular-construction shown (Figs. 1, 5, 7, 12 and 13) the hub 69 of the press cylinder is provided with a cam which is preferably removable therefrom and adjustable. This cam is formed of two sections it and H (Fig, 13). The cam 10 is provided with the slots 12, 13 and the cam H is provided with the slots 74, 15. The two sections, when in position. are overlapping so that they can be adjusted to increase or decrease the total circumferential length of the cam. These cam sections are held in place by means of a ring consisting of the sections of the parts 15 and 11 mounted on the hub '69 of the pres cylz- ..idling gate 94 (Fig. 6).

80, and 82 which extend therethrough. The

cam sections I0 and II are located at the side of this ring and the bolts pass through the slots in the cam sections and hold the cam sections in place. By loosening the bolts, the cam sections may be moved relatively so a to decrease or increase the length thereof circumferentially. The cam section I0 has a forward inclined end 83 and the cam section 'I I has a rearward inclined end 04. The inclined end 83 has a steeper incline than the inclined end 84. An engaging member 85, which is preferably a roller, passes along the periphery of this cam and that portion 86 of the periphery of the cylinder hub which is free from the cam. The roller 85 is connected by a bellcrank lever 81, pivoted at 88 and connectedto the crank 89 on the rock shaft 61 by the two connecting members 90 and 9I (Fig. 5), which are adjustably connected together by means of the bolts 92 which pass through slots in the connecting members. The cam device moves the rock shaft in one direction and a spring 93 moves it in the other direction and keeps the roller 85 in contact with the cam and the portion of the hub of the cylinder free from the cam.

The adjustment of the cam sections I0 and II and the connecting members 90 and 9| permit the parts to be adjusted so that the shut-off gate 66 will be opened and closed at each revolution of the cylinder at the proper time to insure the dampening of the plate without dampening the space between the edges of the plate.

Some means is provided for varying the amount of spray which reaches the plate on the cylinder to properly adapt the device to varying speeds of the cylinder of the press. In the construction herein shown, there is provided a slow speed or This gate is attached to a rock shaft 95 and is provided-with a spray engaging secticn 96 which extends entirely across the device and which may be moved down into the spray sheet at varying distances. The rock shaft 95, as herein shown, is moved to any desired adjusted position and when in any of these positions is actuated by means of a solenoid 91 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5).

The gate or baflle 94 performs a double function. In the first place it is used to intercept the larger water particles traveling in the upper strata of the spray. Its second function is to serve as a slow speed or idling gate. When it i performing the second function, it is moved to its minimum opening position, for example by actuation of the solenoid 91 illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. It then cuts down the spray and permits a fine spray in limited volume. This second func- 'tion is of importance for example when it is desired to slow the press down. This may become necessary for a variety of reasons such as bad paper, bad ink distribution, a malfunctioning of some other part of the press, or the necessity of the operator to leave the press for a moment or two. The speed of rotation of such presses may be controlled by any suitable .switch .means. Whenfor any reason the press is slowed down, it is important that, automatically and without further effort or attention, on the part of the operator, the gate or shutter 94 be moved to the minimum opening or idling position. This result is obtained by employment of the solenoid 91.

The threaded end 99a of a core 98 has adjustably mounted thereon a block 99d provided with a projecting pin 99c connected to a crank 99 on the rock shaft 95 (Figs. 2 and 3). The movement of this crank and the gate 94 is regulated by adjusting the block 99d along the member 99a by the thumb nuts 99b. One end of the coil of the solenoid 91 is connected by a conductor I00 with the main line conductor IOI. The other end of this coil i connected by a conductor I02 with a spring contact I03 located in prox-.

imity to the ink roller I04 which inks the sheet on the press cylinder, and which i connected to the arms I04a mounted upon the shaft I04b. There is a cooperating spring contact I05 in proximity to the contact I03 and which is connected by a conductor I05 with the main line conductor I01. When the ink roller IOI is moved out of contact with the sheet on the press cy 9 control member I08 on the bearing- I09 of the ink roller engages an insulating piece IIO on the spring contact I05 and moves it into contact with the spring contact I03 so as to complete the circuit through the solenoid. The solenoid is then energized and moves the crank 99 and rocks the rock shaft 95 so as to fnove the gate 94 down into the spray sheet. When the ink roller is moved back to its inking position in contact with the plate on the press cylinder, the spring contact I05 is released and the two spring contacts are separated so as to break the circuit through the solenoid. The spring l05a then moves the parts to their original position.

The downward movement of the gate 94 is con-' trolled in the following manner. There is a control member III attached to the rock shaft 95 (Fig. 4). An adjustable stop II2 engages one end of this control member. The other end is provvided with a spring II3 which, when the solenoid is de-energized, moves therock shaft 95 until the control member III engages the stop I I2. The control member. III is provided with a pointer II4 which moves along a scale II5 which indicates the position of the gate 94 with relation to the spray sheet. The spring IIB acts like a lock nut to prevent the adjustable member II2 from being accidentally rotated. The rock shaft 95 is moved by the solenoid in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 4), so as to move the gate 94 down into the spray sheet. The distance the gate 94 is moved into the spray sheet by the solenoid is regulated by moving the end of the crank 99 along the threaded member 99a and locking it in position by the thumb nut 99b. By this adjustment the distance which the gate 94 is moved into the spray sheet by the solenoid can be regulated as desired. This adjustment may be arranged so as to prevent the gate 94'from ever .being fully closed. Thus the possible limit of movement of the gate 94 toward the open position is controlled by the stop I I2 as illustrated in Figure 4, and the limit of movement of the gate toward the closed position, in response to solenoid operation, is adjusted or controlled by the structure shown in Figure 3, by varying the point of attachment of the crank 99 along the threaded member 99a and looking it in position at the point of adjustment by the thumb nut 99b. Thus it is possible to predetermine or set the limit of movement of the shutter 94 in either direction. The gate 94 may be moved any desired distance into the spray sheet by hand, that is by moving the adjusting member II2 (Fig. 4) inwardly so as to rock the control member I I I and the shaft 95 in the direction of the arrow, the spring II: maintaining the parts in their adjusted position. The pointer I I4 and the scale 5 indicate the amount the gate 94 is moved into the spray sheet.

Means is provided for preventing the spray from passing backward between the gates I56 and 93 and above the gate 94. For this purpose there is provided a sealing member II'I (Fig. 6) which extends longitudinally the entire length of the device. This sealing member is preferably of flexible and elastic material and may consist .of a rubber blanket. As herein shown, it has one edge fastened to the upper part of the casing by the bolts I I8 and is bent around the rock shaft 95 and engages the top of the gate 66.

In the event the plate on the press cylinder requires difierent quantities of ink at different points therealong, made necessary by the particular material to be impressed upon the printed sheet, I have provided an effective means for securing this result which consists of a series of separately movable spray intercepting or limiting members which preferably extend entirely along the cylinder. These spray intercepting members are each independently adjustable. Each of these intercepting members. comprise an outer spray engaging member H9. There are a series of inner members I20 which overlap the spaces I 2! between the members I I9 and which are attached to the members I IS in any desired manner, as by the welding I 20a (see-Figs. 2, 6, 7 and The members I23 are provided with laterally project-.- ing edges I22 which project into the spaces I23 between the fixed members I24 of the guiding device. This provides a leak-proof construction so there can be no leak between the spray intercepting members. These fixed members are attached by the fastening devices I25 to the fixed frame member I26 which, as herein shown, is an angle iron extending longitudinally along the cylinder (Fig. 6). The members II 9 engage the fixed frame member I21 which, as herein shown, consists of an angle iron extending longitudinally along the cylinder. These spray intercepting members are individually slidable in between. the members I23 and I217.

The spray intercepting members may, if desired, be moved into contact with astop member II9a (Fig. 6) preferably of rubber, felt or other similar material. This stop is fastened by fastening devices II 3b to'the support 3c attached to the bottom of the casing 24. Thissupport has openings 9d at separated points therealong to let water drain back therethrough."

The spray intercepting members may, be independently moved by any suitable means. As shown for example in Fig. 6, there is associated with each of these members a lever I28 which is pivoted by a bolt I29 between the fixed supports I30. Each of these bolts is provided with a friction washer I3I so that when the nut on the bolt is tightened, the lever will remain in any of its adjusted positions. Connected with each lever I28 is a connecting member I32 which passes through an opening in the top of the casing 24 and which is attached to the members H9 and I20 (see Fig. 6).

By moving downwardly the end of the lever I28 to which the connecting member I32 is attached, the spray intercepting member to which this connecting member is attached will be moved downwardly so as to intercept a part of the spray sheet so as to reduce the amount of moisture brought into contact with the sheet on the cylinder and that by moving the lever I28 so as to lift the connecting member I32, the spray intercepting member to which it is attached will be moved upwardly so that the moisture striking the sheet on the cylinder will be increased. Anyone of the spray intercepting members may be moved into contact with the stop IIQa so as to entirely intercept the spray at such point as desired. The members I32 which connect the levers I28 with the spray intercepting members I I9 pass through openings I320 in the top of the casing, since they must have a backward and forward movemen' when moved by the levers I28. Means is pro vided for preventing spray or water from passin out through these openings. As herein show: there are sliding members I32!) through whicl the members I32 pass with a tight fit. Thesli sliding members slide between guiding members I320 (Fig. 2) and cover the openings I32a in all of their various positions so as to entirely close them.

In this construction of the spray intercepting members the levers I28 are directly moved by hand. In order to provides. more accurate control of the spray intercepting members, I may use a construction like that shown in Fig. 16. In this construction each lever I28, to which the connecting member I 32 is attached, has connected with its other end on the other side of the pivot, a toothed segment I33. The teeth of this segment engage the teeth of a pinion I34 on a shaft I35, a gear I36 is connected with this shaft. It

will be seen that by moving this gear I36, the.

spray intercepting members may be given a comparatively small'movement at any one time. This gives a movement in the nature of a micrometer In operating the device, the gear I36. of the spray intercepting member to be moved is moved manually. The spring I39 then moves downwardly so that the stop I31 will pass one of the teeth and the spring will move it back into the 1 next space between the teeth. The parts will be held in this position until the gears move again.

It will further be seen that in addition to the micrometer movement secured with this construction, thereis provided means by which the operator can move any of the spray intercepting members exactly the same distance so that their lower ends will be in alignment or so that their lower ends will be in any relative position desired and the position of the ends of the spray intercepting members will be made known to they operator without their being seen, by the position of the teeth I 38. The teeth of the wheels will have'similar indicating means for this purpose. In this construction there are separate supporting devices for the pinions I34 and the gears I33. Each of these supporting devices consists of a U-shaped support (see Fig. 17) which is fastened at its bottom by a fastening device I40 to the top I of the casing 24. Each U-shaped support has its two branches I42 and I43 extending upwardly along the pinions and gears. One of the branches I42 of one U-shaped sup-' port is on one side of the pinion and gear and the branch I43 of the adjacent support is on the washer I 45 which helps maintain the parts inv which the spray is directed upon the plate on the cylinder has its ends sealed so as to prevent the escape of spray and water. The press cylinder 3 is reduced in diameter between its ends, as shown at 3a, leaving a projecting ring 3b at each end. There is a. sealing member Be at each end of the casing which fits into holding members 3d attached to the casing. These sealing members engage the projecting ring 31) at the ends of the cylinder (see Figs. 1 and 2).

The angle with relation to the horizontal of the nozzles, the spray target and the lip which returns the water to the casing, has been heretofore referred to and will depend upon the pressure of the water and other conditions. The angle of the lip 60 which directs the water back into the casing is thirty degrees with ten per cent plus or minus leeway.

Located beneath the casing 24 is a drip pan I45 for receiving any drip water. The pipe 63 passes through this drip pan and there is an upwardly projecting ring I41 which prevents any of this drip water from leaking out at this point. A discharge valve I48 is provided for letting the water out 'of the drip pan.

There is preferably an indicating device I49 associated with the spray intercepting members II9 which may consist of numbers as indicated (Fig. 1) so that these spray intercepting members may be more accurately controlled, It may happen, for example, that when a proof of the printed sheet is made, it will show at certain points that the spray should have been more or less intercepted. By comparing this proof with the indicating device, the proper spray intercepting member or members can be located and thus moved to secure the desired result, The indicating device is shown as having every other one numbered as 1, 3, 5, etc., to simplify it.

The barrier GI is adjustable by means of'the slot 6Ia and the bolt Ii Ib so that it may be moved up to partially intercept the spray stream. It will be seen, therefore, that this spray stream may be partially intercepted'from below b the barrier GI and partiall intercepted from above by the gate 94,

The use and operation of my invention are as follows.

In assembling the device, the cross supporting members I and I9 are placed upon the support I and the cross supporting members la and I011 are placed upon the support 2. The parts are then moved along these supports until the casing is in proper position and the sealing members are in contact with the cylinder. The slotted stop members Ia and 2a are then brought into contact with the supporting members I0 and In and the bolts Ib and 2b are tightened to hold the stop members in position.

In subsequently removing and replacing the casing, it is only necessary to move the parts until the supporting members I 8 and IM strike the stop members Ia and 2a. 'The motor 29 is then started. Liquid is drawn from the tank 25 and forced under pressure, by the pump 2 into the pipe 32 (Figs, 11, 6). The liquid under pressure then passes to the nozzles 36 which directs streams of liquid upon the target or targets 56, whereupon the liquid is converted into a spray and directed through the discharge opening 56a of the casing onto the plate 8 on the cylinder.

The nozzles are oscillated by means of the motor 48, the connections 53, 55 and the bar 41 (Fig. 8) thereby continually varying the points on the target or spray converting device struck by the streams of liquid from the nozzles. The spray converting member or target converts the streams of liquid into spray and directs it through the discharge opening 56a. of the casing 24 onto the plate 8.

The rock shaft 61 and shut ofi gate 66 (Fig, 6) are moved by means of the cam members 10, I I. connected with the rotating cylinder of the press, bellorank lever 81, links 90, 9| and crank 89 (Fig. 5) so as to move the shut off member 66 to completely obstruct the spray stream before it reached the edge I 0 of the plate 0 (Fig. 12). This prevents the spray from striking the portion of the cylinder 9 free from the plate 8. As the cylinder rotates the shut off member is moved out of its obstructing position after the portion 9 of the cylinder has passed the discharge opening 56a in the casing.

It will be seen that by this means the shut off gate 56 is moved to intercept the spray at each revolution of the press cylinder when the portion of the press cylinder free from the printing plate is opposite the spray receiving point and that it is moved out of its intercepting position as soon as this portion of the cylinder has passed the spray receiving point.

When it is desired to partially obstruct the entire spray stream the idlinggate 94 (Fig. 6) is moved into the spray stream the desired amount. There is herein shown means for moving this idling gate responsive to the movement of the ink roller away from the plate. When this ink roller I04 is moved out of contact with the plate, the projection I08 on its bearing moves the contact I05 into contact with the contact I03 and completes the circuit through the solenoid 91 (Figs. 3 and 5). The crank 99 of the rock shaft 95, to which the idling gate is attached, is connected to the plunger of the solenoid and, when the solenoid is energized, the plunger rocks the shaft so as to move the idling gate to its obstruct- 5 ing position. When the ink roller is moved back into contact with the plate, the electric circuit is broken and the spring I05a moves the parts so that the idling gate is moved out of its intercepting position. The amount of-movement of 55 the gate 94 is controlled byth'e member I I I which is attached to the rock shaft 95 (Fig. 4) and the .adjusting member II2. By adjusting this'adjusting member, the rock shaft may be rocked more or less so as to move the idling gate more or less into the spray stream. There is a scale II5 by means of which the position of the idling gate 94 may be ascertained.

' When the printed sheet, for example, requires more ink at one place than at another, extending longitudinally of the plate, the spray intercepting members H9} are used (Figs. 1. 2, 6 and 10). Each of these spray intercepting members has a control lever I 28 (Fig. 6) which is pivoted at I25 and which is connected by the connecting memher I32 with its associated sp ay intercepting member II9 so that any one or any series can be moved independently so as to insure the proper moistening of the plate under varying conditions. In Fig. 16 there is illustrated another way of adjusting these spray intercepting members.

In this construction each lever 828 is provided with a gear l36 which is connected to the lever by means of the pinion I33 and tooth section I33. This gives a very accurate control as it practically gives a. micrometer arrangement for moving these members.

In my use of the above described structure, and referring for example to Figure 6, it will be understood. that the structure is adapted to car y out the following method. The nozzles 36 deliver 2. solid stream or spray, using the term solid" todifierentiate from a spray or stream in which air or a gas is employed as a conveying vehicle or medium. The solid stream impinges on the target 55 and is exploded and deflected in the direction of. the broken lines of Figure 6. The consequent spray is a solid spray, in the sense that it is formed of water particles without the use of air or gas as a conveying means. However, in addition to the mechanical separation or widening of the spray from the impact point toward the cylinder 3,. there is a certain classification of particles by size in the spray. While the classification may not be as accurate as-a complete stratification, the larger particles tend to concentrate in the upper part of the spray. The particles of smaller SiZe tend to drop from the spray. Such small particles as carry through toward the cylinder may be intercepted by the adjustable lower bafie Si, which may be set by the operator at the desired position, upon observation of the results on the machine. The upper gates, shutters or keys H9 may be individually adjusted with micrometric accuracy, and may be individually adjusted at different positions, as earlier pointed out, to prevent any water delivery at all, along some parts of the length of the cylinder or plate, or to graduate or vary the water delivery to difierent parts of the plate. Some sh'eets of ofiset printin may have heavy coloredsections through one end of the sheet and nothing but sky at the other end, and it is therefore necessary to difierentiate between one end of the plate and the other as t the amount of ink delivered and thus the amount of water delivered to the plate. the setting of shutters or keys I9.

I find it, desirable, as earlier pointed out, to block out the larger particles which would cause blotting and white spots on the plate. While it may be possible to some extent to do this by the setting of the shutters or keys i it, I prefer to maintain sizing control of the upper part of the spray by use of the movable shutter 9Q, which may extend through the entire length of the cylinder or plate and constitutes the major adjusting or control means. its range of movement both into and out of the Thus the inking may be controlled by mitted to the plate are sumciently large to reach the plate without being carried off or interrupted by the current of air which is entrained by the surface of the plate and travels with the plate as it revolves. If the finer particles did get through they would not help or perform any function in moistenlng the plate but would increase the moisture delivered to the room and to the space around the plate and would eventually cover the machine with a coating of mist and cause rust'and dust collection, as well as creatingan undue and disadvantageous humidity in the space within the printing room, where large volumes of raw paper are usually stored.

I claim:

1. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing plate, an ink roller for applying ink to said plate a plurality of nozzles which discharge liquid in the form of streams, spray converting means which convert the streams of liquid from the nozzles into spray and direct the spray against the printing plate on the press cylinder, a shut-off gate for entirely shutting off the delivery of spray against the printing plate, and means controlled by the movement of the press for moving said shut-off gate so as to intercept the spray stream during each revolution of the cylinder, a second shut-off gate and means for automatically moving the second shut-off gate so as to partially intercept the spray stream,

' 2. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printin cylinder, a printing plate, an ink roller for applying ink to said plate a casing having a discharge opening having a surrounding edge in proximity to the cylinder, means in said casing for converting liquid into a spray and directing it through said discharge opening upon said plate, a lip overlapping end extending along the upper edge of said discharge opening and projecting. rearwardly into said cas- As earlier pointed out, I limit spray, by the adjustments shown in Figures 3 and 4. This control may be carried out by hand, but I find it desirable to employ the solenoid 91 for automatically moving the shutter 94 toward minimum spray position, when the press or 'cylinder slows down.

Considering together the eifect -o1 the shutters or baflles M and 94, 6| is effective to prevent particles of minimum size from reaching the plate.

The shutter 94 is effective to prevent particles of ing for receiving moisture which tends to travel along with the cylinder and which returns the moisture to the casing, a barrier'on the interior of the casing spaced from the edge of said discharge opening extendin along the bottom of the discharge opening, the lip along the upper edge of the opening projecting rearwardly beyond the barrier so that the moisture running along the lip drops into the casing at the rear of said barrier.

3. The method of controlling the fineness of the I spray employed in dampening printing plates on printing rolls, which includes directing toward the plate a solid spray consisting of particles of mixed size, with the larger and smaller particles concentrated in difierent parts of the spray; blocking from the spray particles of one size 'range, by interposing a barrier in the spray; further blocking the particles of a difierent range of size by interposing an additional barrier in a different part of the spray; leaving an opening for the spray between the edges of the said barriers, through which opening the spray travels directly against the printing plate; and varying the field of approach of particles through said opening, and thereby varying the fineness of that part of the spray which reaches the printing plate, by adjusting the width of said opening between said barriers, until the fineness of the water particles 01' that part of the spray which directly strikes the plate is maintained within a desired range of size.

4. The method of controlling the finenes of the spray employed in dampening printing on printing rolls, which includes directing generally horizontally toward the plate a solid spray consisting of particles of mixed size, with the larger and smaller particles concentrated in different parts of the spray; blocking from the spray particles of one size range, by interposing a bar-. rier in the spray from below; further blocking the particles of a different range of size by interposing an additional barrier in the spray from above; leaving an opening for the spray between the edges of said barriers, through which open- 7 ing the spray travels directly against the printing plate; and vaiying the field of approach of particles through said opening, and thereby varying the fineness of that part of the spray which reaches the printing plate, by adjusting the width of said opening between said barriers, until the fineness of the water particles of that part of the spray which directly strikes the plate is maintained'within a desired range.

5. The method of controlling the fineness of the spray employed in dampening printing plates on printing rolls, which includes directing a solid jet of water against a target in such fashion as to cause a spray to move directly from said target generally horizontally against the printing plate with the larger and smaller particles concentrated in difierent parts of the spray; blocking from the spray particles of one size range, by interposing a barrier in the spray from below; further blocking the particles of a diilferent range of size by interposing an additional barrier in the spray from above; leaving an opening for the spray between the edges of said barriers, through which opening the spray travels directly against the printing plate; and varying thefield of approach of particles through said opening, and thereby varying the fineness of that part of the spray which reaches the printing plate, by adjusting the width of said opening between said barriers, until the fineness of the water particles of that part of the spray which directly strikes the plate is maintained within a desired range.

6. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing plate, and an inking roller for applying ink to said plate, which includes a casing having a discharge opening in proximity to the cylinder, means in said casing for converting liquid into a. solid spray and for directing it generally horizontally through said discharge opening in a generally rectilinear, uninterrupted path, upon said plate, a barrier extending along the lower edge of said discharge opening, projecting upwardly into the spray, and adapted to stop the particles of spray in the lower portion of the spray stream and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, an additional barrier on the interior of the casing, extending along the upper edge of said discharge opening and projecting downwardly into the spray and adapted to stop the particles of spray of the upp portion 015 the spray stream, and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, and means for independently adjusting both barriers into and out of the spray stream.

7. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing plate, and an inking roller for applying ink to said plate, which includes a casing having a discharge opening in proximity to the cylinder, means in said casing for converting liquid into a solid spray and for directing it generally horizontally through said discharge opening in a generally rectilinear, uninterrupted path, upon said plate,

a barrier extending along the lower edge of said discharge opening, projecting upwardly into the spray, and adapted to stop the particles of spray in the lower portion of the spray stream and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, an additional barrier on the in-' Y movement of the press for moving said shut off gate so as to intercept the spray stream during each revolution'of the cylinder.

8. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing plate, and an inking roller for applying ink to said plate, which includes a casing having a discharge opening in proximity to the cylinder, means in said casing for converting liquid into a solid spray and for directing it generally horizontally through said discharge opening in a generally rectilinear, uninterrupted path, upon said plate, a barrier extending along the lower edge of said discharge opening, projecting upwardly into the spray, and adapted to stop the particles of spray in the lower portion of the spray stream and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, anadditio'hal barrier on the interior of the casing, extending along the upper edge of said discharge opening and projecting downwardly into the spray and adapted to stop the particles of spray of the upper portion of the spray stream, and. to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, and means 'for independently adjusting both barriers into and out of the spray stream, a shut of! gate and means for automatically moving it to partially intercept the spray stream.

9. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing plate, and an inking roller for applying ink to said plate, which includes a casing having a discharge opening in proximity to the cylinder, means in said casing for converting liquid into a solid spray and for directing it generally horizontally through said discharge opening in a generally rectilinear, uninterrupted path, upon said plate, a barrier extending along the lower edge of said discharge opening, projecting upwardly into the spray, and adapted to stop the particles of spray in the lower portion of the spray stream and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, an additional barrier on the interior of the casing, extending along the upper edge of said discharge opening and projecting downwardly into the spray and adapted to stop the particles of spray of the upper portion of the spray stream, and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, means for independently adjusting both barriers into and out of the spray stream, a shut off gate and means for automatically moving it to partially intercept the spray stream, and means for adjustably limiting the penetration of said shut oi! gate into the spray stream.

10. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing 'plate, and an inking roller for applying ink to said plate, which includes a casing having a discharge opening in proximity to the cylinder, means in said casing for converting liquid into a solid spray and for directing it generally horizontally through said discharge opening, in a generally rectilinear uninterrupted path, upon said plate, with the particles of water of said spray difl'erentially concentrated by size in different parts of the spray, a barrier projecting upwardly into the spray; and adapted to stop the particles in the spray in the lowest portion of the spray stream and to prevent them-from being brought into contact with the plate, an

additional barrier projecting downwardly into the path of the spray and adapted to stop the particles of spray of the uppermost portion of the spray stream, and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, and means for adjusting said last mentioned barrier into 'and out of the spray stream.

11. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing plate, and an inking roller for applying ink to said plate, which includes a casing having a discharge opening in .proximity to the cylinder,.

means in said casing for converting liquid into a solid spray and for directing it generally horizontally through said discharge opening, in a generally rectilinear uninterrupted path, upon said plate, with the particles of water of said spray diflferentially concentrated by size in different parts of the spray, a barrier projecting upwardly into the spray; and adapted to stop the particles in the spray in the lowest portion of the spray stream and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, an additional barrier projecting downwardly into the path of the spray and adapted to stop the particles of spray of the uppermost portion of the spray stream, and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, and means for adjusting said last mentioned barrier into and out of the spray stream, said first mentioned barrier extending from end to end of said discharge opening, said additional barrier including aplurality of separate sections arranged edge to edge, and separately adjustable into and out of the path of the spray, and individual means for accurately adjusting each said section and for said plate, with the .particles of water of said spray difierentially concentrated by size in dii ferent parts of the spray, a barrier projecting upwardly into the spray; and adapted to stop the particles in the spray in the lowest portion of the spray stream and to prevent them from being brought into contact with the plate, an additional barrier projecting downwardly into the path of the spray and adapted to stop the particles of spray of the uppermost portion of the spray stream, and to prevent themfrom being .7

' brought into contact with the plate, means for adjusting said last mentioned barrier into and out of the spray stream, said first mentioned barrier extending from end to end of said discharge opening, said additional barrier including a plurality of separate sections arranged edge to edge,

and separately adjustable into and out of the path of the spray, individual means for accurately adjusting each said section and for holding it in adjusted position, and a cutoff gate positioned between said additional barrier and said converting means and directly aligned with said converting means, for entirely shutting off the delivery of spray against the printing plate, and means controlled by the movement of the press for moving said shut off gate so as to intercept the spray stream during each revolution of the cylinder.

13. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing plate, an ink roller for applying ink to said plate including a plurality of nozzles which discharge liquid in the form of streams, spray converting target means, in the line of delivery of said streams, which convert the streams of liquid from the nozzles into a spray and direct the spray against the printing plate on the presscylinder, said nozzles being somewhat downwardly inclined rrom the horizontal, said spray converting target means being adapted and arranged to direct the spray generally horizontally but somewhat upwardly and directly against the printing plate, the distance separating said target means from said printing plate being suflicient to cause a differential arrangement of the water particles, by size, in the upper and lower partsof the spray, a baflie extending upwardly into the path of the spray, adapted to prevent the particles in the lower part of the spray from reaching the printing'plate, a second baille, extending downwardly into the spray, adapted to prevent the uppermost particles of the spray from reaching said plate, and means for adjusting the distance separating the upper edge of the first baflle and the lower edge of the second baiiie and for thereby limiting the range of size or water particles which reach the plate.

14. A dampening mechanism for printing presses comprising a printing cylinder, a printing plate, an ink roller for applying ink to said plate including a plurality of nozzles which discharge liquid in the form of streams, spray converting target means, in the line of delivery of said streams, which convert the streams of liquid from the nozzles into a spray and direct the spray against the printing plate on the press cylinder,

said nozzles being somewhat downwardly inclined from the horizontal, said spray converting target means being adapted and arranged to direct the spray generally horizontally but somewhat upwardly and directly against the printing plate, the distance separating said target means from said printing plate being suflicient to cause -a differential arrangement of the water particles, by size, in the upper and lower parts of the spray,

a baflle extending upwardly into the path of the,

plate, an ink roller for applying ink to said plate,

a plurality oi nozzles which discharge liquid in by the movement of the press for moving said shut of! gate so as to intercept the spray stream during each revolution of the cylinder, including a cam on said printing roller, a cam engaging roller and means for normally urging it against said cam, a gate actuating lever and means for actuating it in response to movement oi! said cam" engaging roller by said cam, said cam including a portion or maximum diameter, generally concentrio with said printing cylinder, and inclined end portions, said end portions being of different sharpness of inclination, the inclined end portion which initially engages the roller being substantially sharper in inclination than the inclined end portion over which the roller passes inwardly toward the axis oi! the cylinder at the end of the travel of the roller across the concentric portion of the cam, and means for separately adjusting said inclined end portions about the axis or said roller.

GEORGE A. ILER. 

